Man On The Street – Paul Wilcox

Age: 47

Occupation: Chief Executive Officer at Auckland Racing club

What’s your morning routine?

A good cup of chamomile tea and a slice or two of marmalade on toast.

How did you spend your Christmas / New Year’s break?

With my wife and two wonderful girls at the beach for two days – then back to work! The week between Christmas and New Year is one of busiest of year for ARC, approximately 25,000 people come through our doors.

How do you plan to get the most out of 2018?

Surrounding myself with people that I enjoy being around.

What are the top three things on your bucket list?

Hawaii / winning a Group 1 race / breeding a champion race horse

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Don’t smoke!!

How do you think the World will change over the next 20 years?

I’m really curious about the changes that driver-less cars will bring to our lives. How will this affect the manufacturers, car park operators, the use of land in the cities etc. Will people even bother owning a car?

How do you stay motivated?

By being positive and not getting hooked up on the small irrelevant things.

If you didn’t need money, what would you do?

Artisan beef farmer. Although I imagine it’s a lot of hard work.

What is your secret to success?

Being positive and never, ever giving up.

What’s the best bit of advice or quote that resonates with you?

You can’t change the way the wind blows, but you can change the way you set your sails…

What are your favourite restaurants to frequent?

Antoines in Parnell and Ostro in Britomart.

What is your secret to living longer, more satisfying life?

Having a wonderfully supportive wife and two gorgeous girls (they still have the innocence of youth).

What makes you feel alive?

When my horse wins a race – nothing like it.